Strawberry plant named &#39;prestige&#39;

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘PRESTIGE’. This new strawberry plant named ‘PRESTIGE’ is primarily adapted to the growing conditions of the central coast of California, and is primarily characterized by its medium to large plant size; medium fruit size; spreading calyx segments; long petiolule length; three to four leaflets/tri-foliate; moderate fruit production with very good flavor; and medium green foliage with medium glossy texture and medium interveinal blistering.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of the U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/996,102 filed Nov. 1, 2007.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Fragaria ananassa

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘PRESTIGE’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry variety named ‘PRESTIGE’. This new variety is a result of a controlled cross made in 2000 in an ongoing breeding program between strawberry variety designated ‘PS-1269’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,686) and strawberry variety designated ‘PS-3523’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,447). The variety is botanically known as Fragaria ananassa.

The seedling resulting from the aforementioned cross was selected from a controlled breeding plot in Monterey County, California in the summer of 2002. After its selection, the new variety was asexually propagated by stolons in both San Joaquin County, California and Siskiyou County, California. The new variety was extensively tested over the next several years in fruiting fields in Monterey County, California. This propagation has demonstrated that the combination of traits disclosed herein as characterizing the new variety are fixed and remain true to type through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘PRESTIGE’ is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditions of the central coast of California. The nearby Pacific Ocean provides the needed humidity and moderate temperatures to produce a strong vigorous plant and maintain fruit quality during the spring, summer and fall production months.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘PRESTIGE’, which in combination distinguish this strawberry plant as a new and distinct variety:

1. Medium to large plant size;

2. Medium fruit size;

3. Spreading calyx segments;

4. Long petiolule length;

5. Three to four leaflets/tri-foliate;

6. Moderate fruit production with very good flavor; and

7. Medium green foliage with medium glossy texture and medium interveinal blistering.

The strawberry varieties that are believed to be most closely related to the new strawberry variety ‘PRESTIGE’ are the strawberry variety ‘PS-592’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,903) and the strawberry variety ‘PS-4634’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,487). In comparison to the similar strawberry varieties ‘PS-592’ and ‘PS-4634’, the new strawberry variety ‘PRESTIGE’ differs by the following combination of characteristics as described in Table 1:

TABLE 1 ‘PS-592’ ‘PS-4634’ Characteristic ‘PRESTIGE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No 9,903) (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,487)  1. Color of mature fruit Red Orange red to red Red to orange red  2. Average fruit weight (gm) 23.8 24.3 26.8  3. Marketable yield (gm/plt) 1,403 1,500 1,544  4. Attitude of the calyx Spreading Spreading to reflexed Spreading to reflexed  5. Time of first harvest Medium Early Early  6. Plant size Medium to large Large Large  7. Stolon diameter (mm) 3.5 4.1 3.9  8. Interveinal leaf blistering Medium Medium to strong Medium to strong  9. Foliage gloss Medium Strong Medium to strong 10. Number of leaflets Three to four Three Three 11. Terminal leaf shape of base Obtuse Acute Acute 12. Petiolule length (mm) 17.4 13.2 10.0

For identification a series of AFLP molecular markers have been determined for this new variety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance of typical specimens of the new strawberry variety ‘PRESTIGE’, at various stages of development as true as it is reasonably possible with color reproductions of this type. Color in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the botanical description which accurately describe the color of ‘PRESTIGE’. The depicted plant and plant parts of the new strawberry variety ‘PRESTIGE’ were taken in Monterey County, California, and are approximately 8 to 9 months old:

FIG. 1 shows typical fruiting field characteristics of ‘PRESTIGE’ taken in the month of July 2007;

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of a typical leaf structure of ‘PRESTIGE’ taken in the month of July 2007;

FIG. 3 shows typical mature and immature field fruit of ‘PRESTIGE’ taken in the month of July 2007;

FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of mature fruit of ‘PRESTIGE’ taken in the month of July 2007;

FIG. 5 shows typical internal and external mature fruit characteristics of ‘PRESTIGE’ taken in the month of July 2007.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

‘PRESTIGE’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The characteristics of the new variety may vary in detail, depending upon variations in environmental factors, including weather (temperature, humidity and light intensity), day length, soil type and location.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following description of the new variety ‘PRESTIGE’, unless otherwise noted, is based on observations taken during the 2007 growing season in Monterey County, California. These measurements and ratings were taken from plants of ‘PRESTIGE’ dug from a high-elevation nursery located in Siskiyou County, California during the middle of October 2006 and planted approximately 3 weeks later in Monterey County, California. The approximate age of the observed plants is 8 to 10 months. Yield observations and fruit quality characteristics are averaged from four years of data collected from the 2004 through 2007 growing seasons. Flower measurements and characteristics are from secondary flowers unless otherwise noted. Fruit characteristics and measurements are from secondary fruit unless otherwise noted.

Color terminology where noted follows the Munsell Book of Colors, Munsell Color, Baltimore, Md. (1976).

The following Tables 2-8 describe fruit, plant, stolon, foliage, fruiting truss, flower and pest disease characteristics of the new strawberry ‘PRESTIGE’ in comparison to the similar strawberry variety ‘PS-592’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,903) and strawberry variety ‘PS-4634’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,487).

TABLE 2 FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-592’ ‘PS-4634’ Characteristic ‘PRESTIGE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,903) (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,487) Color of mature fruit 7.5R 3/10 to 4/10 7.5R 3/12 to 4/12 7.5R 3/12 to 4/12 Red Orange red to red Red to orange red Color of internal flesh 7.5R 4/10 to 4/12 7.5R 5/10 to 4/10 7.5R 5/10 to 4/12 Medium red Light red Medium to light red Length (cm) 4.6 4.7 4.8 Width (cm) 3.9 4.2 4.1 Ratio length/width 1.18 1.13 1.17 Slightly longer Slightly longer Slightly longer than broad than broad than broad Calyxdiameter(cm) 4.5 4.7 4.3 Average weight (gm) 23.8 24.3 26.8 Achene color 5Y 5/6 to 7.5R 3/8 5Y 6/8 to 7.5R 3/8 5Y 6/8 to 7.5R 3/8 Achenes per berry 411 283 375 Achene weight (mg) 0.48 0.53 0.48 Marketable yield (gm/plt) 1,403 1,500 1,544 Size Medium Medium to large Large Predominant shape Conical Conical Conical Difference in shapes Slight Slight to moderate Moderate between primary and secondary fruit Band without achenes Absent or Absent or Narrow very narrow very narrow Unevenness of surface Absent or Absent or Weak to medium very weak very weak Evenness of color Even Even Slightly uneven to even Glossiness Medium to strong Strong Strong Insertion of achenes Level with surface Level with surface Level with surface Insertion of calyx Level with to Level with to Level with to in the basin above the fruit above the fruit Attitude of the calyx Spreading Spreading to Spreading to reflexed reflexed Size of calyx in relation Slightly larger Slightly larger Same size to to fruit diameter slightly larger Adherence of calyx Strong Strong Strong Firmness of skin Strong Medium Strong Firmness of flesh Firm Medium Medium Distribution of red color Marginal and central Marginal and central Marginal and central of the flesh Hollow center expression Weak to moderate Moderate to strong Strong Flavor Very good Very good Good to very good Soluble solids (% brix) 9.5 9.2 8.7 Time of first flowering Medium Early Early Time of first harvesting Medium Early Early Harvest period Early April to Late March to Late March to early December early December early December Type of bearing Partially everbearing Partially everbearing Partially everbearing

TABLE 3 PLANT CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-592’ ‘PS-4634’ Characteristic ‘PRESTIGE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,903) (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,487) Height (cm) 30.2 32.9 33.8 Spread (cm) 36.3 37.1 37.8 Crowns/plant  6.5  8.0  7.3 Size Medium to large Large Large Habit Globose Globose Globose Density Medium Medium to open Medium Vigor Medium to strong Strong Strong

TABLE 4 STOLON CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-592’ ‘PS-4634’ Characteristic ‘PRESTIGE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,903) (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,487) Average number per plant 2.1 2.3 4.0 fruiting field Anthocyanin coloration 7.5R 4/8 to 5/8 7.5R 5/6 to 5/4 7.5R 4/8 to 5/8 Anthocyanin intensity Weak to medium Weak to medium Weak to medium Diameter at bract (mm) 3.5 4.1 3.9 Pubescence Medium Medium Weak to medium

TABLE 5 FOLIAGE CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-592’ ‘PS-4634’ Characteristic ‘PRESTIGE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,903) (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,487) Foliage: Color of upper surface 7.5GY 4/4 to 3/4 7.5GY 4/4 to 3/4 7.5GY 4/4 to 3/4 Medium green Medium green Medium green Color of under side 5GY 5/4 to 6/4 5GY 5/4 to 6/4 5GY 5/4 to 6/4 Medium grey green Medium grey green Medium grey green Shape in cross section Slightly convex to Slightly concave Slightly concave to flat strongly convex Interveinal blistering Medium Medium to strong Medium to strong Glossiness Medium Strong Medium to strong Number of leaflets 3 to 4 3 3 Terminal Leaflet: Length (cm) 9.5 10.9 10.0 Width (cm) 9.2 8.8 7.7 Length/width ratio 1.02 1.23 1.30 as long as broad much longer than broad much longer than broad Serrations/leaf 21.6 21.3 22.8 Size Medium to large Large Medium to large Shape of base Obtuse Acute Acute Shape of teeth Obtuse Obtuse Obtuse Petiole: Length (cm) 22.7 25.1 27.3 Diameter (mm) 4.7 5.1 4.6 Petiolule length (mm) 17.4 13.2 10.0 Pubescence Moderate Moderate to sparse Moderate to sparse Attitude of hairs Strongly outward Strongly outward Slightly outward Stipule: Length (mm) 19.6 21.9 19.6 Width (mm) 8.5 9.4 9.1 Anthocyanin coloration Strong Medium Strong Color Light to medium Light to medium Medium green green green

TABLE 6 FRUITiNG TRUSS CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-592’ ‘PS-4634’ Characteristic ‘PRESTIGE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,903) (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,487) Length (cm) 34.5 35.3 37.5 Position relative to foliage Level with Level with to Level with beneath Pubescence Strong Medium Medium to weak Anthocyanin intensity Very light to none Light Very light to none Attitude at first pick Prostrate Prostrate Prostrate

TABLE 7 FLOWER CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-592’ ‘PS-4634’ Characteristic ‘PRESTIGE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,903) (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,487) Petal color N 9.5/90% R to N 9.5/90%/R to N 9.5/90% R to N 9.25/84.2% R N 9.25/84.2% R N 9.25/84.2% R White White White Corolla diameter (mm) 32.2 33.0 32.7 Calyx diameter (mm) 34.4 36.4 36.3 Petal length (mm) 12.0 12.3 12.6 Petal width (mm) 11.5 12.1 12.5 Petal length/width ratio 1.04 1.01 1.01 Petals/flower 6.1 6.5 6.3 Sepal length (mm) 12.2 13.0 12.5 Sepal width (mm) 4.5 4.2 4.2 Sepal length/width ratio 2.73 3.11 2.97 Sepals/flower 12.3 13.1 12.9 Size of calyx relative to Larger Larger Larger corolla Size of inner calyx Smaller Same size to smaller Same size to larger relative to outer calyx Relative position of petals Overlapping Overlapping Overlapping

TABLE 8 PEST AND DISEASE REACTIONS ‘PS-592’ ‘PS-4634’ Characteristic ‘PRESTIGE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,903) (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,487) Two spotted spider mite Moderately Moderately Moderately susceptible susceptible susceptible Flower thrips Moderately Moderately Moderately susceptible susceptible susceptible Powdery mildew Moderately Moderately Moderately susceptible susceptible susceptible Botrytis fruit rot Moderately Moderately Moderately susceptible susceptible susceptible Angular leaf spot Moderately Moderately Susceptible susceptible susceptible 

1. A new and distinct strawberry plant named ‘PRESTIGE’, as herein described and illustrated by the characteristics set forth above. 